TOLEDO, Ohio — The University of Toledo Board of Trustees voted Wednesday to remove the interim tag from President Gregory Postel and hired him to the position on a permanent basis.
Postel was named interim president last year and took over in July after former President Sharon Gaber left UToledo for UNC Charlotte. At the time, UToledo launched a national search to find its 18th president, but those plans were delayed in September.
Postel was the interim president and executive vice president for health affairs at the University of Louisville prior to coming to UToledo. His contract as president runs through 2025.
"It feels like home. The University has been very welcoming to me and the community has been extremely supportive" Postel said.
He says leading UToledo for the last eight months has been amazing and when he was asked to stay longer, it was an easy decision.
But it's also been a year like no other for him. He took over during a pandemic and like everyone else, had to navigate reopening safely.
"Obviously the coronavirus has caused us to all have to put safety first in terms of making sure that our campus community is as safe as possible," he said.
But despite a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, Postel says the university isn't in a bad position.
They have worked through limitations and are looking forward to changes now that vaccines have been getting in arms.
"By fall 2021, things might be closer to normal," Postel said. "We're anticipating about 80 percent of our classes face-to-face. 80 percent of our workforce on-site, obviously students living in the residence halls."
Board Chair Al Baker noted Postel's accomplishments, including the successful reopening of campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Postel was also recognized for stabilizing the University of Toledo Medical Center's finances.
“We are extremely grateful for Dr. Postel’s leadership during this challenging transition and want to commend all members of our campus community who have stepped up to realize these accomplishments,” Baker said. “Looking ahead, we know that we must continue this momentum if we are to realize our potential as a national, public research university where students obtain a world-class education and become part of a diverse community of leaders committed to improving the human condition in the region and the world.”
